The EASTON Power Sensor Powered by Blast Motion Scores a Home Run with Vicon

Vicon system delivers precise motion tracking, making the EASTON Power Sensor accurate and consistent enough for the professional player

Oxford, UK – December 1, 2015 – Vicon, the motion capture technology specialists, announced today that Blast Motion used Vicon technology to certify the accuracy of the EASTON Power Sensor. The sensor is Easton Baseball/Softball’s first-ever precision swing motion sensor to help players of all abilities hit with more power and efficiency. Blast Motion used a five-camera Vicon system to help them ensure precision motion tracking.

“The Vicon system was a critical component in our development of the motion tracking sensors,” said Donovan Prostrollo, senior director, marketing, Blast Motion. “When you compare it to other systems and technologies out there it’s incredibly accurate. Vicon’s technology transcends boundaries—it represents an opportunity for us to take our solution and apply it to any sport or any other vertical and be confident that our solution is going to work well. It’s true motion analysis and it’s a very powerful tool to have at our disposal.”

The EASTON Power Sensor, which slips over the knob of any baseball or softball bat, is designed to capture highly accurate swing metrics and deliver advanced performance analysis. It captures and stores a wide range of 3D data—including time to contact, swing speed, energy transfer, bat path angle, power and efficiency—and intelligently combines these metrics with video. The powerful new swing analysis tool automatically detects a player’s swing and creates a series of video highlights.

The sensor needed to be approachable enough for the general consumer but precise enough for the pro player to get accurate metrics. Blast Motion used the Vicon system to ensure the accuracy of the sensor technology, enabling them to see fine details and capture motion in a way that other systems can’t.

“For real-time data to be integrated and adopted into the baseball culture, our users have to be 100 percent confident in the product and we have to be confident that the product has been validated,” said Henry Fitzpatrick, product manager, Easton Baseball/Softball. “When it comes to swinging a baseball bat, the difference between 5 mph and 10 mph can be extremely significant to a player. This was one of the main reasons EASTON turned to Blast Motion and Vicon.”

“EASTON looked to Blast Motion to ensure accuracy and consistency, and that is exactly what their Vicon system helped them achieve,” said Jeffrey Ovadya, sales and marketing director, Vicon. “With Vicon, Blast Motion was able to pass Easton’s rigorous due diligence with unparalleled precision and develop a powerful product that bridges the gap between the amateur and the pro player.”

About Easton Baseball/Softball Easton is a leading manufacturer of baseball and softball equipment and has the most iconic brand in these sports. Headquartered in Van Nuys, Calif., the company manufactures bats, apparel, bags, helmets, catcher’s equipment and related accessories. The company’s commitment to innovation and game-changing technologies, such as introducing the industry’s first true aluminum bat, drove its growth to the No. 1 position in North America, including the No. 1 bat of choice by players in the College World Series of Omaha®, Women’s College World Series® and Little League Baseball® World Series. Performance Sports Group Ltd., the parent company of Easton, is a publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange whose affiliates market products under the BAUER, MISSION, MAVERIK, CASCADE, INARIA, COMBAT and EASTON brand names. Performance Sports Group is a member of the Russell 2000 and 3000 Indexes, as well as the S&P/Toronto Stock Exchange Composite Index. For more information, visit Easton’s website at http://www.EASTON.com.

About Vicon Academy Award®-winning Vicon is the world’s largest supplier of precision motion tracking systems and match-moving software. It serves customers in CG animation, engineering and life sciences industries. As well as those in film, visual effects, video games and broadcast television sectors.

Vicon is a subsidiary of OMG (Oxford Metrics Group – LSE: OMG), plc., the technology group providing Computer Vision products and services for the entertainment, life science, engineering industries and consumer electronics markets. Other holdings include: OMG Life, our IP licensing business; and Yotta, a provider of software and services for infrastructure asset management. Among many others, Vicon global clients include:

Engineering: European Space Agency, BMW, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – South Africa, ETH Zurich, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, NRL, UPENN GRASP, MIT, Ford and General Motors